The cocoa sub-sector is an important pillar of Ghana’s economic stability and growth prospects; the sub-sector contributes to fiscal stability, infrastructure, and employment. In recent times, diversification has become a common observable feature in the industry. This study uses the conditional mixed process approach to examine the interaction between the diversification status and profitability of cocoa farming simultaneously in a single system. Using data from 401 farmers in the Western and Ashanti regions of Ghana in 2022, the study found that more profitable farmers were more likely to diversify. Conversely, diversified farmers were likely to be more profitable than non-diversified farmers. It also found that the farmer's age, experience, farm area, and location of the farm impacted both the profitability and diversification status of farmers. Thus, it is suggested that policymakers should direct policies and programs to support the creation of alternative farm-based livelihoods for farmers.

Thin films of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nanoparticles were prepared using a low-temperature deposition and crystallization process involving successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) or SILAR-Air spray Plus (SILAR-A+) methods, coupled with hydrothermal (175 °C) and furnace (500 °C) post-annealing. The annealed YSZ films resulted in crystalline products, and their phases of monoclinic, tetragonal, and cubic were categorized through X-ray diffraction analysis. The morphologies of the as-prepared films, fabricated by SILAR and SILAR-A+ processes, including hydrothermal dehydration and annealing, were characterized by the degree of surface cracking using scanning electron microscopy images. Additionally, the thicknesses of the YSZ thin films were compared by removing diffusion layers such as spectator anions and water accumulated during the air spray plus process. Crack-free YSZ thin films were successfully fabricated on glass substrates using the SILAR-A+ method, followed by hydrothermal and furnace annealing, making them suitable for application in solid oxide fuel cells.

In Laos, smallholder cattle farmers rely primarily on natural grassland grazing, which needs to be improved for fattening. Notably, most cattle prices are determined by the middleman, by looking, so buyers tend to undervalue their price, which makes cattle farming a minimal investment. Urea-Molasses Block (UMB) supplements can effectively enhance a nutrient diet in low-quality roughage systems. This study aimed to determine factors affecting UMB and farmers’ Willing To Pay (WTP) for UMB as a new input material with data from six villages, two districts of the Vientiane Capital, in January and July 2019. The results indicate that farmers with relatively high education, consent to the positive effect of UMB, and previous experience purchasing feed during the dry season are more likely to pay a high positive WTP. The average WTP for UMB ranges from USD 5.7 to 6.5 per month for one cattle, which is approximately 10.2~11.6% of current annual costs for average smallholder cattle farmers. These findings will be significant in improving productivity at the initial development stage of farms in Laos, especially for smallholder farmers.